The Relationships Between Clinical Response, Psychophysiological Variables and Plasma Levels of Amitriptyline and Diazepam in Neurotic Outpatients

Overview

Journal Psychopharmacology (Berl)

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 1981 Jan 1

PMID 6784140

Citations 4

Authors

E C Johnstone

R. C. Bourne

T J Crow

C D Frith

S GAMBLE

R Lofthouse

F Owen

D G Owens

J Robinson

M Stevens

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In a 4 week study of the response of neurotic outpatients to treatment with amitriptyline, diazepam, amitriptyline and diazepam, or placebo clinical and psychophysiological variables and plasma levels of the drug were assessed. Clinical improvements were substantial in all treatment groups but clear relationships between clinical change, psychophysiological change and plasma levels of the drugs were not established. There was no relationship between plasma levels of the drugs and cigarette smoking. It is concluded that neither plasma levels of amitriptyline and diazepam nor change in skin conductance responsivity offer a useful guide to clinical response to drug treatment.

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